. I'm not sure why as there were other 2nd cat vets in the group behind. The time gaps between the groups were quite big, and with a strong looking 1st group it was obvious from the start that it would be a no-catch race. After the initial sharing of work on the first lap, me and Dave pretty much did the rest and, to our surprise, stayed away from the chasing groups. We made some inroads on the guys ahead but not enough. It was a good workout.
So leading in to this week I was quite positive about my form and so gave Crystal Palace a go for the first time this year.... OMG - reality check
. I got a proper, full on kick in. If you've raced there you will know what I mean. If you haven't, I couldn't describe it to you. It's hell 
From feeling good to then feeling low, I didn't know how tonights handicap would go for me.
Paul Tunnel was handicapping and I was off in the scratch group. This turned out to be one of the most honest races I have been in. Everyone knew what they had to do, and every did it. Previously at Kitsmead lane the front groups had stayed away. We set about the task to ride hard continuously to make sure it didn't happen again. No one missed turns, no one moaned if gaps opened up after corners etc, and everyone did their bit, filling in if needed or starting a fresh line. It was thoroughly exhausting, but great.
The guy who has turned out to be my main competitor for the handicap series was there tonight (Kingston Wheeler). He pipped me for the win at Charlwood, and I missed catching him by a 1/4 of a wheel at Newdigate, so I really wanted to turn the tables tonight. My legs were starting to cramp on the final 2 laps but I knew everyone would be tired too from the amount of hard work we'd all done.
We caught the front 2 groups just before the bell, and unluckily for me I was toward the back of our group at the time as I'd just done a turn. As we overtook the groups, they sped up and jumped in on the train. I was now stuck in a huge group with the guys at the front now getting away. I went around the outside up toward the roundabout and made up about 30 places
. I was hanging now but thought it best to do it early and hopefully recover down the back straight before the sprint. I'd made the right call, I was now in a good position, and then it got even better. The Kingston Wheeler came around me and sat in front of me, blinding . In to the final bend and only the double lump finish to go. We were 3rd and 4th wheel, but other guys came around the outside and it all kicked off. I held my nerve and didn't panic. The more you do this stuff the more you learn about when to and when not to go. I didn't go, not yet, not yet.... go! I went, just as I saw that the guys on the left get slightly baulked. My kick blasted me past everyone, I was clear with only 100m to go. I could feel Mr KW behind to the left, but he wasn't gaining. Ok, where's the line then? I thought it would be where it usually was, and where the man who rang the bell was. But it wasn't. I was getting ready to celebrate when I realised the chequered flag was further up, sort of resting up against a pair of step ladders, or in the ground next to it. I then felt a presence coming up fast on the inside. I kept pushing but there was no line to go for. The KW got level with me and lunged to a non existant line. It was impossible to tell who had won, but in his mind he had. Paul T had me down as winner and so did another guy. I'm not sure what the outcome will be. After a really cracking race, it ended a bit dissapointingly.
Steve
